Wednesday, 31 March 2010

Monday Dr Martens took us to their Northampton factory to check out a preview of what they have planned for this years 50th birthday celebrations. The factory is still in use and churning out up to 500 pairs a day, even after Dr Martens made the decision to move most of their production to China a few years ago.

Dr Martens is a brand with so much history that it'd be impossible for me to talk about it all. The way it was taken on by the skinheads and then the punks is what I find most interesting. For the skinheads it was like a 'fuck you to the hippies' and for the punks it was about empowerment, individuality and freedom. The whole fascist movement came about well after this point. It was a true working class statement for many people.

The tour felt like a school trip but a lot more interesting, our tour guy went by the name of Brian and he was the longest serving employee of Dr Martens clocking up 37 years of service.

We first had a good roam around the product room which housed the majority of the Dr Martens collection. Obviously I immediately asked for more information on the Stussy x Dr Martins collab...

It so happened that the guy behind the collaboration and many other big moves in the design world Andrew Bunney was present. We had a really good chat and he definitely knows his stuff.

1 of the 50th Anniversary shoes...

After the product room we were led to the factory floor where we were shown the whole process of the shoes construction..

I was amazed by how hands on all the staff are. The production is still very hand made. Our taxi driver on the way back to the station informed us that when he used to work there in the 50's that the owner Max Griggs would pop in sometimes and he'd be able to do every single job in factory. Impressive.

A.IN.T.'s classic graphic styles are reproduced in monotone grey, black and white for a more contemporary feel, working on the classic Maharishi East meets West theme, combining All Swords with an All Stars style and referencing the classic Shogun Assassin saga.

Collegiate style stadium jackets are offered with new shape crew and hooded sweats. The classic over shirt works well with a sportswear feel in 2 colour sweat.

Photos by Vanessa Galvin

The capsule collection is available exclusively from XXXDATE on www.MHIstore.com and at the Maharishi store, 19 Floral Street , London WC1 02078363860

Monocle never disappoints me when I get a copy. The current issue takes us on global tour of the leading buyers, designers, cutters and curators in retail and service sector. Loving bntl like a fat kid loves cake.